Today twenty prominent leaders of the conservative movement have joined NewsBusters publisher and Media Research Center founder Brent Bozell in demanding the broadcast networks stop censoring coverage of the trial of Philadelphia abortion doctor Kermit Gosnell and the testimony of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates in favor of murdering children who survive botched abortions. [see related video here]

Although abortion has re-entered the news cycle following the passage of pro-life measures in North Dakota and Arkansas, the MRC’s Culture and Media Institute finds that ABC, CBS, and NBC have completely censored both of these outrageous stories:

Since the Gosnell trial began three weeks ago, ABC, CBS, and NBC have given the story ZERO seconds of coverage on either their morning or evening news shows. They have not covered Gosnell once since his arrest in January 2011, and even then, only CBS did so.

After the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates’ testimony in favor of post-birth abortions surfaced on March 29, ABC, CBS, and NBC have committed ZERO seconds of coverage on either of their morning or evening news shows.

ABC, CBS, and NBC have each covered the new abortion laws in North Dakota and Arkansas, ominously describing them as the “most restrictive” in the nation.

In response to the broadcast networks’ total and inexcusable blackout of the Gosnell and Planned Parenthood stories, the conservative leaders react:

"The Kermit Gosnell case, in which his abortion clinic has been described as a ‘House of Horrors,’ could have been plucked from the fever dream of Hollywood’s most depraved slasher film writer, and yet ABC, CBS, and NBC have completely censored it out of the news. The Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates’ on-the-record position in support of murdering living children is staggering in its radicalism, and yet ABC, CBS, and NBC have completely censored it out of the news.

"But the new pro-life laws in North Dakota and Arkansas? They draw a critical eye from the broadcast networks.

"The horrific excesses of the abortion industry – exemplified by Gosnell and Planned Parenthood – are major, national news stories any way you look at them. But the pro-abortion liberal media are determined to hide them from the public. The media have a solemn duty to the American people to report the news, not just news that helps the positions they support. It’s unprofessional, it’s disgusting, and it’s inhuman.

"If the pro-life movement were involved in this type of insanity, there would be wall-to-wall coverage from every major news outlet. This cover-up is a national disgrace."

L. Brent Bozell, III, President and Founder, Media Research Center

Diana Banister, Vice President, Shirley & Bannister Public Affairs

Gary Bauer, President, American Values

David N. Bossie, President, Citizens United

David Bozell, Executive Director, ForAmerica

Brian Burch, President, Catholic Vote

Susan Carleson, Chairman/CEO, American Civil Rights Union

Kellyanne Conway, President, The Polling Company, Inc./Woman Trend

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List

Mark Fitzgibbons, President of Corporate Affairs, American Target Advertising

Kristan Hawkins, President, Students for Life of America*

Andrea Lafferty, Traditional Values Coalition

Mario Lopez, President, Hispanic Leadership Fund

Jim Martin, Chairman, 60 Plus Association

Gary Marx, Executive Director, Faith and Freedom Coalition

Jeanne Monahan, President of March for Life Education and Defense Fund

Penny Nance, President, Concerned Women for America

Fr. Frank Pavone, National Director, Priests for Life; President, National Pro-life Religious Council

Tony Perkins, President, Family Research Council

Patrick Reilly, President, Cardinal Newman Society

Austin Ruse, President, Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute

Craig Shirley, Chairman, Citizens for the Republic

Richard Viguerie, Chairman, ConservativeHQ.com

*Hawkins added at her request on April 11. She was not an original signator to the letter.

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